Tension-table



J. F. ROEMER.

TENSION TABLE. APPLIICATION FlL ED JULY 23, I918.

Patented Apri.5,' 1921.

N QM V V 11 1 o a a 11-41. MM: Z M g mm 11/ alitozmq J. F. ROEMER.

TENSION TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23,1918.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

1. F. ROEMER.

TENSION TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, I918.

1,374,115. Patenied Apr. 5, 1921.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3- JACOB F. ROEMER, OF WAUKEGAN ILLINOIS.

TENSION-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1921.

Application filed July 23, 1918. Serial No. 246,272.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB F. RonMnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Waukegan, in the count of Lake and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tension-Tables, of which the following is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a surgical apparatus of the traction or tension table type designed for use in chiropractic treatment for the relaxation of muscles, the stretching of ligaments, the separation of vertebrae, the increase in flexibility of articulation, the relief of irritation or impingement of nerves, the relief of the compression of blood vessels and intervertebral disks, the increase in blood supply to the spinal cord, the adjustment of irregular vertebrae, and for assisting in the correction of scoliosis, lryphosis. and .lordosis, together with such general specific effects as may result therefrom, including stimulation from increased blood supply to the spinal centers by the effect on the viscera supplied by the nerves emanating from those centers, as well as general muscular relaxation,sedation and stimulation.

The invention consists in the provision of an apparatus suitable for supporting the human form and applying thereto in the proper and judicious directions, such tensile stresses as may result in the physical reliefs and rcadjustments as are required for the purpose indicated, and to that end in a construction, combination and relation of parts fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1 is a side view of the table with the parts adjusted for use, a human form being illustrated in dotted lines in a proper position thereon,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a head end view,

Fig. 4 is a foot end view showing the boots in a pendant or inoperative position,

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view showing the construction of one of the head end legs or supports and its attachment to the main frame and head frame.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings consists essentially of a main, preferably rectangular frame provided with head and foot end legs or supports 11 and 12 p atient.

. yond the head end of the main frame is a head frame 16, also of tubular'construction and of U-shape with its side arms or members engaged in sockets 17 which are formed in T-shape couplingmembers 18 of the head end legs or support. Said coupling members may, as shown, be connected with the L-couplings 19 at the head ends of the side bars of the main frame by means of plugs 20' and the body portions of the supports or legs as shown at 11 are in turn connected with the socket members 18 and may be provided with casters 21 to facilitate movement of the structure from place to place.

Mounted upon the head frame is a head rest 22, and also rising from said frame is a standard 28 supporting an adjustable cross head or bar 24lfrom which extends the flexible elements 25 of a mask or head engaging member consisting, for example, of the chin rest 26 and the head strap 27.

The cross head or bar 24 may be provided, as shown, with a stem 28 adjustably fitted illtllG standard .23 to permit of variation in the horizontal plane of said cross head or bar. Also the head rest 22 may, as shown, he provided with clips 29 engaging the side bars of the head frame so that its position maybe varied longitudinally to suit the patient.

At the other end the apparatus is provided with a foot extension 30 consisting, as shown, of a rod suitably mounted for longitudinal adjustment and adapted to be extended or retracted by gearing 31 actuated by a crank arm 32, said foot extension carrying a standard 33 with a cross head 34: with the arms of which are connected boots 35 adapted to be stretched or otherwise properly secured to the feet or ankles of the Also preferably the connections between the boots and the cross head include tension springs 36 by which a yielding strain is applied through the connections to the feet of the patient in a direction longitudinally of the legs while the movement of the body on the supporting frame is prevented 7 ing the mask or head. engaging means and its supports. i

In practice, the patient may be disposed upon the table as indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, or as may be required to. suit the,

conditions which are to be relieved-or the treatment which is to be applied, the legs being supported in a comfortable relaxed 7 position, while the body is supported either underthe chest or lower relatively tothe torso by means of theipreferably cushioned rest 1athe' head in turn being disposed upon the head rest 22 which may, as shown, be divided so as to receive the face of the patient without interfering with the ordinary and normal operation'of the respiratory organs.

Obviously any desired degreeof tension may be applied longitudinally or axially of the body of the patient by a greater or less adjustment of the tensionin'gdevices including the foot engaging elements, the foot extension and the described operating means, and such tension may be maintained forthe required length of time or increased or diminished from time to time as the j treatment of the patient may require,'supplemented as will be readily understood, by massaging, the application of heat or other tempering means, (forming no essential part of this particular apparatus) and de- 7 signed to supplement the extension or stretch effected in order that the (.esired results may be secured. r

It isdeeined unnecessary to specify more i at length the purposes and possibilities of chiropractic or osteopathic treatment which may be conducted in connection with an apparatus such as above described, it being suflicient to emphasize the desirability of applying the traction or tension more or less gradually'and to avoid excessive or over treatment because ofthe exhaustion to the patient resulting therefrom and the possibility of producing excessive relaxation and so that the veins may readily empty. It

frame supported by the main frame and carrying a head rest, ,a head harness carried by said head frame, a foot extension having athreaded shank, arotatably mounted tubular member carried by the main frame and into whose one end the said shank threads, a. crank handle,- operative connectionsbetween the crank handle and the tubular member, whereby the latter is rotated and the foot extension moved in a direction toward {01' away from the head frame, and a foot harness carried by the said foot extension.

may be added that traction or tension under 2. An apparatus for the purpose 'indicated having a main body supporting frame, body receiving rests carried thereby, a head frame supported by the main frame and carrying a head rest, a head harness carried by thehead frame, a foot extension having a threaded shank, a rotatably mounted tubular member carried by the main frame and surroundingand threadingly engaging the said shank, and a foot harness carried .by the said foot extension;

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JACOB F. ROEMER. 

